This job isn't what it was made out to be

Hello all,
I just need to vent and a get a few nurses opinions. I started a Nurse Educator position April 2011. I thought I was in heaven, Mon-Fri, 8a-430p w/the once or twice a month Sat or evening (maybe working until 7 or 8pm). Then in Aug 2011, the only other nurse in my office quit... All her work was placed on me in addition to my work... supposedly until they found a replacement. Well, long story short, management decided to hire a secratary instead and not replace our nurse. Now I'm working 12pm-830pm, 3-4 days a week and then 9-530, 1-2 days a week. This is NOT the position I signed up for. I've asked to go to 4- 10 hour days to make the late nights more managable, but was turned down. I also approached my manager trying to cut down the late nights and was also turned down. My problem is that my husband works 4am-1230pm, by the time I get home at night, he's in bed or on the way to bed. I never see him. Do I stay where I am and continue to be miserable and never see my hubby or do I look for something different? At this point, I would love to go back to nights 7pm-7am, and at least get to see hubby for a few hours (as I would get up about 3pm) in the evenings before going to work. I'm just so upset as this was supposed to be the perfect hours looking into the future, I was supposed to be home to have dinner with my family every night.

Also, what has been nurses' experience with moving unit to unit within the same facility? Do I stay at the same facility or do I try elsewhere? I'm considering going back to my job that I left in April 2011, it was nights and a small hospital, but it was something.

I should follow this up saying I am grateful to have a job. I know in todays economy, its not always easy. Its just hard to be grateful when your kicking yourself in the butt for leaving nights to go to something that looked so perfect and turned into a mess...

May 1, '12

I would try and get my old job back. Your family and sanity, which is why you applied for the educator job in the first place, are no longer being served with this one. Good luck in the job search.

May 2, '12

Definitely go back to your old job or find another one. The expectations of you in this position have changed and obviously there isn't a plan to get you assistance or relief. The manager certainly isn't going to want these hours and demands so she is going to continue to tell you know. This is not a position for someone who has a family or a life outside of the hospital. Being a loyal employee is admirable, being a doormat is not. Consider your quality of life first, the rest second. Good luck - hope you are able to get into something else soon.

May 2, '12

It seems a little odd that they are making your hours so bizarre. Most places I have worked there was no educator on site unless it was a special event, after 4:30. It looks as if you have approached your manager with several solutions to your time dilemma. Does Management know that you are now looking elsewhere? I'd let them know that this is just not a tenable situation. Since you are the only nurse now, and they need one, it might put you in a better position.... I'm sorry that is happening for you.

Jun 4, '12

Thank you everyone for your replies. I applied May 3rd for another position within the same facility, nights and part-time. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but my sanity needs to come first. My manager has been a bit over the top (pointing out EVERY little thing that goes wrong, being overly demanding) since I put in the application for a different position. Has anyone had any experience with this? HR hasn't exactly been helpful in my questions related to my application. I'm also currently job searching elsewhere. I need to get out of this job before my sanity is completely gone. I fear I'm headed for a breakdown continuing with my current position, I feel very isolated from my family.